Global Rumblings Podcast Summary

Podcast: Global Rumblings Podcast
Episode: 63 – Kenya & Pupi’s First Steps Together
Date: October 14, 2025
Host: Nadia Mari (A), with Kat (C) & Scott Blais (B) of Global Sanctuary for Elephants

Overview

This deeply intimate episode celebrates a pivotal milestone: Kenya and Pupi, two elephants rescued from captivity, have taken their first steps into true companionship at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. The hosts and guests discuss the significance of their unbarriered interaction, the nuanced history behind both elephants, and the intentional, slow approach to building trust and friendship between traumatized animals. The episode also touches on the enduring challenges of elephant foot health and sanctuary fundraising efforts. Notably, the episode was recorded before Pupi’s recent passing, making the conversations on her healing and bravery especially poignant.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kenya and Pupi: First Steps Together

[02:04 – 03:48]

• Announcement: For the first time, Kenya and Pupi are living fully together, with no physical barriers—no gates or fences—between them.
• Behavioral Observations: The elephants kept a calm distance (about two meters apart), not touching but coexisting peacefully.
• Patience and Expectations: The team stresses the importance of allowing elephants to move at their own pace, instead of imposing human expectations of immediate friendship.
  • “Where’s all the celebration? ... Because they weren’t really touching each other ... But at the end of the day, Marina said, that was perfect. Even without touching, it was perfect.” – Scott [02:31]

2. Kenya’s Gentleness & Pupi’s Bravery

[03:48 – 04:55]

• Kenya, often exuberant and energetic, showed self-restraint to make Pupi comfortable, helped by scheduling the introduction in the morning (Kenya’s quiet time).
  • “Kenya is not a morning gal... So, when they were initially put together, Pupi was the one who was more interested because Kenya was just doing her nappy, I’m sleepy kind of thing.” – Kat [04:06]
• The staff avoided forcing interaction, letting the two elephants navigate their comfort zones.

3. Understanding Pupi’s Backstory

[06:11 – 08:54]

• Past Relationships: Pupi’s previous relationships (with Kuki, who was dominant, and Mara, who was maternal then involved in conflict) have left her cautious around other elephants.
  • “If you were locked in a bathroom with the same person for 30 years... at some point, you are not going to get along. And it really is the equivalent of what we do to these elephants.” – Kat [10:04]
• Pupi’s Growth: Since Kuki’s passing, Pupi has been learning how to be herself both as a sanctuary elephant and as an individual.
• Kenya’s Role: Kenya is taking visible steps to listen to and respect Pupi’s pace and signals.

4. The Sanctuary Approach: Slow and Respectful

[11:01 – 16:39]

• Why Not Force Friendship: The team believes genuine relationships must evolve naturally, without coercion or artificial rewards (e.g., using food to lure them).

• Contrast with Asian Elephant Introductions: African elephants at the sanctuary lack experienced leaders or “sanctuary knowledge,” making their companionship journey slower than their Asian peers.

  • “Just because we put two elephants together... doesn’t mean they’re going to be best buds.” – Scott [11:26]
  • “That’s the problem with space... You don’t know that they’re going to get along.” – Scott [11:32]

• Emotional Support from Caregivers: Staff involvement is deliberately low-key to avoid overstimulating the elephants and allow authentic social development.

  • “If we go over with a camera, like we do with a lot of the Asians... she [Kenya] is going to go over the top in two seconds. She’s doing so well with controlling herself. If we encourage her to not, she’s not going to.” – Kat [14:06]

5. The Deeper Layers: Trauma and Healing

[16:39 – 19:55]

• Complex Layering: The introduction journey is influenced by the elephants’ ages, life histories, traumas, and lack of group leadership.
• Caregiver Education: A major element of the sanctuary’s work is helping caregivers recognize the many “layers” beneath observable behavior: trauma, memory, and trust-building.
  • “We’re all looking at the tip of the iceberg as we’re trying to help these elephants because we can’t understand what that trauma is that’s hiding below the surface.” – Scott [19:41]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Kenya’s letting Pupi take the lead. And... at the end of the day, everyone said, wow, that was really just perfect.” – Scott [02:31]

• “Kenya...is a girl after my own heart. She is sleepy, sleepy... in the morning...” – Kat [04:06]

• “If you were locked in a bathroom with the same person for 30 years... it really is the equivalent of what we do to these elephants.” – Kat [10:04]

• “Friendships don’t happen overnight... Just because we put two elephants together doesn’t mean they’re going to be best buds.” – Scott [11:24]

• “Part of our job here... is teaching the layers and getting [caregivers] to think about the layers and not just that one little element we’re looking at now.” – Scott [19:13]

Important Timestamps

• [02:04] – Big announcement: Kenya & Pupi fully together, no barriers
• [04:06] – Kenya’s subdued morning energy facilitates safe first meeting
• [06:11] – Pupi’s traumatic history with other elephants
• [10:04] – Captivity as lifelong forced proximity, relating to Pupi’s caution
• [11:24] – Why friendship can’t be rushed or forced
• [14:06] – Caregiver role during initial introductions: hands-off and supportive
• [16:39] – Reflections from previous sanctuaries on group introductions
• [19:41] – Trauma as the “iceberg” beneath elephant behaviors

Kenya’s Health & Foot Care Fundraiser

[20:30 – 26:41]

• Halloween Fundraiser: Friends of GSE are continuing their Halloween fundraiser, this year focused on Kenya’s foot care due to her severe foot problems (affecting all four feet).
• Financial Need: Comparisons are made to Lady’s foot care costs, highlighting the high expense of specialized treatments.
  • “We use a lot of very specialized sprays and topicals... we have a compound pharmacy that works with nanoparticles to get better absorption deeper into the feet.” – Kat [20:30]
• Hidden Suffering: Elephants’ illnesses and pain are often invisible until very advanced stages, reinforcing the need for vigilance and support.
  • “With every single captive elephant, yes, there’s reason to be worried.” – Scott [25:31]

Notes on Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, candid, and laced with gentle humor (e.g., jokes about Kenya’s morning laziness and fundraising for coffee to get her moving). Kat and Scott deliver hard truths about the traumas of captivity but always center the elephants’ autonomy and dignity.

Takeaways

• Patience and Respect: The most profound healing and trust build at the elephants’ pace, not ours.
• Deep Trauma Affects Behavior: Centuries of captivity mean elephants arrive with scars—physical and emotional—that shape their relationships.
• Sanctuary Ethics: Good sanctuaries support autonomy, minimize interference, and recognize that true companionship can’t be rushed.
• Ongoing Needs: Even as joyful milestones are celebrated, the physical aftereffects of captivity demand continuous, specialized care and public support.

For Further Action

• Support Kenya’s Foot Care: Halloween fundraiser info is in show notes; donations needed for specialized treatments.
• Stay Connected: Follow GSE on their website and social media for updates.
• Next Episodes: The podcast takes a brief hiatus and will return in December with new stories.

Closing

This episode, celebrating the tentative but hopeful first steps of Kenya and Pupi’s friendship, is a moving reminder that healing is possible, but always on the elephants’ terms. The care and reverence shown by Kat, Scott, and Nadia offer a model of sanctuary life at its very best.